Where to get henna art in Dubai

The intricate body art form of henna is an important part of Arabian culture, dating back centuries. Traditionally worn during weddings and celebrations, the practice involves using a natural dye made from crushed henna tree leaves to decorate hands and feet. From local beauty salons to desert camps, here’s where you can try it for yourself in Dubai. 

Henna tents and desert camps

Dubai's malls are truly a one-stop-shop for everything. Most of the larger shopping centres have independent henna artists working onsite, including Dubai Mall. Head to the Arabian majlis-style tent on the ground floor to have a custom design applied, while learning more about Emirati culture and traditional activities such as falconry.

If your visit to Dubai happens to be during a cultural holiday, such as the UAE National Day in December and Eid over summer, you'll find that almost every city hotspot, including Mall of the Emirates and City Walk, hosts a calendar of special events and traditional activities. Stay tuned to Dubai Calendar to find out what's on.

The city's souks are also a good place to find henna artists. Heritage for Henna, for example, has locations across Dubai, including one at Souk Madinat Jumeirah. Alternatively, if you're visiting Souk Al Bahar by Dubai Mall, you'll find henna services just in front of the Arts Area.  

A lot of desert tour operators offer henna as part of their safari packages. Book a desert experience with Platinum Heritage and enjoy a fun day filled with wildlife spotting, delicious food and plenty of activities, including traditional henna painting. Alternatively, check out Arabian Adventures for an exceptional range of thrills such as sunset safaris and dhow tours, with expert guides leading the way.  

Beauty salons and local artisans

Deeply engrained in local beauty traditions, it's no surprise that many beauty salons in Dubai offer henna design in addition to their standard services. Take your pick of talented artists skilled in diverse styles, from chic patterns to traditional motifs. For a verified spot, visit Rachna Salon, a long-standing beauty institution that started off as a mobile salon specialising in henna. Alternatively, there are few Dubai beauty outlets that have been around as long as Aroushi, which has welcomed its fair share of models, musicians and Bollywood stars over the years. Here you can choose between a simple henna design, or a more extravagant Indian-inspired pattern. 

Looking for a more unusual or contemporary design? You're in luck, as there are several local artists adding signature twists on the tradition in the city. Henna veteran Vandana Makar (+971 50 795 7018) offers designs using her own striking 24-karat gold paste, while Dubai Henna by Sara (+971 55 739 3321) specialises in patterns crafted in white and silver glitter henna.

Another in-demand artist is Azra Khamissa (+971 56 266 3551) who creates modern works of skin art with designs such as leopard prints, portraits and polka dots. If you want to book a session with her, you'll have to do a bit of planning ahead – the talented artist has amassed quite a social media following so there's a waiting list for appointments. 

Discover the city's oldest neighbourhood and get an insight into local culture by signing up for a walking tour.